Scharf's German restaurant celebrates 50 years of schnitzel

German restaurant Scharf's will celebrate its 50th year in business Sept. 30 with a celebration at the West Seneca restaurant.

It'll be from 8 p.m. to midnight with free admission, and live music from the Auslanders, a German band, said owner Jerry Scharf. Door prizes will be awarded hourly, and a free spread of food will be served at 10:30 p.m.

Half a century ago in Schiller Park, Scharf's parents bought Rimbeck's Schiller Park Tavern on South Crossman Street. In 2014, the restaurant reopened in the former Deerhead Inn, 2683 Clinton St.

Today, the Scharfs are still busy serving potato pancakes and beer. Jerry and his wife Nancy are working with their daughter Andrea and their son Tim.

He hopes they can take over one day, in the latter half of the Scharf century. "I hope they do."